A Sociological Study on Traditional Beliefs and Practices of ‘Mising’ Women Regarding their Reproductive Health Care Practice

This study is an attempt to observe the traditional beliefs and practices of Mising women regarding their reproductive health care practice. Well into know, health is determined not only by biology but also by the factor of socio-culture. Because of the impacts of socio-cultural variables, in the name of smooth and simple delivery, people undertake some traditional religious convictions and practices regarding reproductive health care. The investigator used the survey method to perform this research using the interview schedule (semi-structured questionnaire) and the focus group discussion to find out the traditional views and methods of reproductive health care among women. The finding shows that Mising women perform some traditional practices along with religious beliefs like sondro groho or hurjyo groho, tumbo miksi, mingod (first name calling), husi, tiloni, proshad, etc. These are performed in the name of smoothness, easy delivery; free the child and the mother from the affect of all evils. Experienced village woman and bhokoti (bhokot's wife and the bhokot is like a priest) lead the ritual acts to be easily delivered and executed. But nowadays, as far as reproductive health care practice is concerned, Mising women are becoming to prefer the contemporary form of health care practice.